Do they celebrate Christmas in Asia?

Christmas is usually associated with being a Christian – and not least Western – event.

In spite of this, Christmas is celebrated today in many Asian countries and with distinctive Christmas traditions as the main ingredient.

But how is Christmas celebrated in Asia? Read about the unique Christmas traditions you’ll find at some of our destinations in Asia right here.

Christmas traditions in Asian countries

Kentucky Fried Chicken and Christmas markets in Japan

Japan has, over time, established its own unique Christmas traditions, despite only 1% of the country being Christian.

In many places in Japan, you will find Christmas markets that are reminiscent of the ones we have in Europe. One of the bigger markets is the Tokyo Christmas Market, which is very similar to a Christmas market in Germany. And it is, in fact, also supported by the German Tourism Association.

At the market, you can buy Christmas decorations and enjoy the colourful Christmas lights while enjoying a cup of mulled wine. You can also enjoy Christmas decorations in several of Japan’s major cities, where the shopping malls are decorated for Christmas with all manner of Christmas decorations and lights.

However, not everything about the Japanese Christmas is reminiscent of Christmas in the UK.

Christmas Eve in Japan is seen as a kind of Valentine’s Day, where couples go out on a date and exchange gifts. And it’s rare to give gifts to anyone other than your partner.

The Japanese Christmas menu is also unconventional to say the least! The meal often consists of chicken from the fast food chain “Kentucky Fried Chicken”! Fast food Christmas food has been a tradition since 1974 thanks to KFC’s own marketing initiatives, when the promoted the slogan “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii”, meaning “Kentucky for Christmas”.

Shopping malls and Christmas lights in China

You’re left in no doubt what the season is when you visit the Chinese cities over the Christmas period. In big cities and shopping malls, you will find Christmas decorations and lights that soon get even the most Christmas averse into Christmas spirit.

The vast majority of Chinese are not Christians, so Christmas is celebrated in ways where Christianity does not play a role.

Although Christianity is not part of the Christmas celebration, the Chinese have their own Christmas traditions. One of the really special traditions involves apples. The apples are beautifully wrapped and given to one another. The tradition stems from the fact that the Chinese word for apple sounds like the word for peace. Christmas Eve is “Ping’an Ye” (平安夜) meaning “quiet” or “peaceful” evening.

The Chinese like to celebrate Christmas Eve with friends and family where they enjoy a feast. 

Midnight mass and feast in Vietnam

A small section of Vietnam’s population is Christian. So it is a tradition to attend midnight mass in the churches on Christmas Eve.

Many of the churches have a nativity scene with life-size figures of Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

Vietnamese Christians go to midnight mass on Christmas Eve and then go home to enjoy a feast with their family. The dinner typically consists of chicken soup, but if they can afford it, the chicken will be replaced by turkey. For dessert, the Vietnamese eat “Bûche de Noël”, a French chocolate cake shaped like a log. This tradition was brought to Vietnam by the French when they colonised the country in the 1880s.

The Vietnamese also give gifts to one another at Christmas. The gifts are often food, and a very popular gift is the aforementioned chocolate cake – Bûche de Noël.

Christmas trees of chicken feathers in Indonesia

As in many other Asian countries, the shopping malls are decorated with Christmas decorations in the Christmas season.

But they are not the only places decorated for Christmas. Out in the country, far from the commercialism of Christmas in the big cities, some Balinese families have a Christmas tree made of chicken feathers.

In southern Bali, several Christian villages are adorned with Christmas decorations. The decorations are different to in the West. The Balinese people place long bamboo poles and coconut leaves outside their homes. A decoration called “penjor”.

Another popular Christmas tradition of Christian Indonesians is “Ngejot”. Ngejot is a Christmas tradition which is all about sharing and spreading happiness. The Christians do this by giving food to their neighbours on Christmas Eve. 

Gifts and fruit cake in Sri Lanka

Christmas is also celebrated in Sri Lanka. At dawn on 1 December, you can hear firecrackers being let off. This is the tradition that marks the beginning of Christmas in Sri Lanka.

Just as in the UK, the people of Sri Lanka traditionally have Christmas parties with delicious Christmas food with friends and family and exchange gifts.

In many places, visitors to the country can taste the fruit cake Sri Lankans eat at Christmas. It’s a little like the Christmas cake we eat in the UK, but also contains typical Sri Lankan ingredients.

The cake is traditionally covered with a layer of marzipan made of cashew nuts instead of almonds.

Experience the Asian Christmas traditions

Fancy having a Christmas holiday in December, away from the often stressful British Christmas?

Christmas traditions in the Asian countries are a wonderful and different way to celebrate the festive season!

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller